Pocketed easel back counter card

ABSTRACT

A counter card comprises a panel. The panel has a front panel operatively connected to a back panel via a scored edge. The front panel has a pocket integrally formed therewith. The back panel has an easel integrally formed therewith to support the counter card. When the pocket is assembled, it forms a rigid presentation pocketed counter card that will not come off or apart had the pocket been mechanically attached to the card. In its unassembled form the counter card is a single flat piece of material suitable for packaging shipping economically. In addition, another economical advantage is prior to gluing the front and back panels together the card can be processed in one pass through the printer, for printing instructions, and one pass through the die cutter thereby saving production costs.

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/338,853, entitled EASEL, filed Nov. 6, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention pertains to a presentation counter card having a pocket to receive and permit the dispensing of printed materials. More specifically, the invention relates to a counter card that incorporates an easel and pocket, where the easel and pocket are integrated into one piece of material that is flat in its unassembled state.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Counter cards for providing printed matter for the consumer are rather common. There are several ways that this can be accomplished. Most common is by mechanically attaching the pocket to the front panel of the counter card. This can be done by either gluing, stapling or using tabs to attach the pocket. This type of counter card is costly to manufacture because they generally consist of more than one component to form the counter card. In addition, each component must then be processed individually through a printing machine and a die cutter thereby increasing the manufacturing costs. It is the object of the present invention to reduce these costs while providing a more rigid counter card.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a new and improved counter card is provided which comprises a panel. The panel has a front panel operatively connected to a back panel via a scored edge. The front panel has a pocket integrally formed therewith. The back panel has an easel integrally formed therewith to support the counter card.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a counter card, wherein the pocket, when assembled, it forms a rigid presentation pocketed counter card that will not come off or apart had the pocket been mechanically attached to the card.

[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a counter card, wherein in its unassembled form the counter card is a single flat piece of material suitable for packaging shipping economically.

[0009] Still yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a counter card that is economical in that prior to gluing the front and back panels together the card can be processed in one pass through the printer, for printing instructions, and one pass through the die cutter thereby saving production costs.

[0010] Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is the front plan view of the counter card that shows suitable scoring and cut lines of the material that form front, top and bottom of the integrated pocket.

[0013]FIG. 2 is the back plan view of the counter card that shows suitable scoring and cut lines of the easel and the part of the card that form the sides and support structure of the integrated pocket.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the easel of the present invention in the assembled state.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a rear view of the back panel of FIG. 4 showing the easel in the unassembled state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring now to the drawings wherein the drawings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purposes of limiting the same. FIG. 1 shows the present invention taking the form of a counter card 10 in its unassembled state. The counter card 10 comprises a front panel 12 defined by a top edge 17, a bottom edge 18, a right side edge 19 and a left side scored edge 13. FIG. 2 shows a back panel 11 of the counter card 10 in its unassembled state. The back panel 11 is defined by a top edge 14, a bottom edge 15, a left side edge 16 and a right side scored edge 13. The scored edge 13 is common to both the front and back panels 12, 11. The counter card 10 is folded at the score line 13 and the front and back panels 12, 11 are glued together to form counter card 10 as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0018]FIG. 1 further illustrates the scoring and cut lines of the material that form the front, top and bottom of a pocket 30. The pocket 30 is defined by a front face 40, a top 32, a top foldable flap 31 and a bottom 35. The front of the pocket 30 is further defined by a top scored edge 34, a bottom scored edge 36, a left side edge 41 and right side edge 42. The top of the pocket 30 is defined the top scored edge 33 and a bottom scored edge 34. The bottom of the pocket 30 is defined by a top scored edge 36, a bottom scored edge 37, a left side edge 43 and a right side edge 44. The top foldable flap 31 is defined by a top edge 38, the bottom scored edge 34 and side tabs 39. The side tabs 39 are used to lock the assembled pocket in place and will be described below.

[0019]FIG. 2 further illustrates the scoring and cut lines of the material that form an easel 80 utilized to support the counter card 10 and the portion of the back panel 50 that form the sides, support structure and the locking mechanism for the pocket 30. The sides and support structure are defined by panels 51, 52, 53 and 54. Panel 51 forms one side of the pocket and contains a top edge 60, a bottom edge 68 and two scored edges 69 and 55. Panel 53 forms the other side of the pocket and contains a top edge 63, a bottom edge 65 and two scored edges 64 and 56. Panels 51 and 53 also contain slots 72 and 74 respectively used to lock the top foldable flap 31 in place by inserting the side tabs 39 into each respective slot. Panels 52 and 54 provide support structure for the pocket. Panel 52 contains a top edge 61, bottom edge 67, side edge 57 and a scored edge 55. The scored edge 55 is common to both panels 51 and 52. Panel 54 defined by a top edge 62, a bottom edge 66, a side edge 58 and a scored edge 56. The scored edge 56 is common to both panels 53 and 54. The tab 59 is used to hold the printed matter in the pocket. If additional strength is required to hold the matter in the pocket a portion of each panel 52 and 54 can be used for this purpose.

[0020] The integrated pocket is formed by folding the pocket 30 in an outward position perpendicular to the front panel at the score line 37. While the pocket is in its perpendicular position the two side panels 51 and 53 are folded in a forward outward position perpendicular to the front panel at each respective score edge 69 and 64. These two panels form the sides of the pocket and remain perpendicular to the front panel. Then panels 52 and 54 are folded inward toward each other at each respective score line 55 and 56. Panels 52 and 54 form right angles with panels 51 and 53 respectively. The pocket 30 is then folded in an upward position perpendicular from the bottom 35 at the scored edge 36. The top foldable flap 31 is then folded over panels 52 and 54 at both scored lines 33 and 34 forming the top of the pocket 32. The two scored lines 33 and 34 are necessary to make the top of the pocket fold cleanly over top of the inward elements of panels 52 and 54 accommodating their thickness. The side tabs 39 on the top foldable flap 31 are inserted into the slots 56 and 57 on the side panels 51 and 53 thereby locking the top flap in place and thus forming the pocket.

[0021] The nature of the material used for this application is one such that is resiliently deformable. In other words the material has memory. The side panels 51 and 53 have a desire to spring back to their original position. The top flap 31 serves the purpose of holding the side panels 51 and 53 at their outward assembled position. By inserting the side tabs 39 into the slots 56 and 57 serves the purpose of locking the top flap 31 in place. Since the material is resilient all the components of the pocket are working against each other and are trying to return to their original state. However, the locking mechanism previously described actually causes the pocket to become more rigid and tight.

[0022]FIG. 2 also shows the components, also known as the easel, required to support the counter card. The easel 80 is defined by a top edge 82, side edge 83, a bottom edge 84, a scored edge 81 and a rounded edge 85. This support 80 is folded in an outward position at the scored edge 81 until it is perpendicular to the back panel 11. The tab 90 is then folded down at the scored edge 91 until the top side edge 93 of the tab 90 extends passed the edge 95 on the support structure 80. The two edges 93 and 95 lock against the support structure 80 and the tab 90 respectively enabling the counter card to be positioned in a vertical position. The location of the easel on the back of the counter card can be positioned in a variety of ways. In other words, the easel can be located on the top, the bottom or either side of the counter card. The location of the easel would depend on the size of the counter card and the location of the integrated pocket.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 3, the front panel 12 of the counter card 10 is shown with the pocket 30 in an assembled state. As shown, the pocket 30 comprises the panels 51, 53, bottom 35 and front face 40 to define a cavity therein. Brochures or other informational material may be placed in the cavity for distribution.

[0024] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, another embodiment of the easel 100 is shown. In this embodiment, the back panel 11 comprises a fold down tab 102, which pivots about scored edge 104 to support the counter card 10. The fold down tab 102 pivots in the direction of arrow A. A locking tab 105 is defined within the fold down tab 102. The locking tab 105 has a plurality of edges 106, wherein at least one of the edges 106 is secured to the fold down tab 102. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the locking tab is square in shape and pivots about a first edge 108 so that the opposite edge 110 may be inserted into a hole 112 that is defined in the back panel. Of course the locking tab 104 may take any geometry chosen with sound engineering judgment.

[0025] One of the unique features about this invention as was described above is that the pocket is an integral part of the counter card. When the pocket is assembled, it forms a rigid presentation pocketed counter card that will not come off or apart had the pocket been mechanically attached to the card. Another unique feature about this invention is that in its unassembled form the counter card is a single flat piece of material suitable for packaging shipping economically. In addition, another economical advantage is prior to gluing the front and back panels together the card can be processed in one pass through the printer, for printing instructions, and one pass through the die cutter thereby saving production costs.

[0026] The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a panel; and, a pocket integrally formed with said panel, said pocket having a cavity defined therein.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said panel further comprises: a front panel; and, a back panel operatively connected to said first panel.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said back panel is connect to said first panel via a scored edge.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein information is adapted to be printed on said front panel and said back panel through one pass by an associated printing means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an easel, said easel adapted to support said front panel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a back panel operatively connected to said front panel; and, an easel operatively connected to said back panel, said apparatus having an assembled state and an unassembled state, wherein said apparatus is flat in the unassembled state.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a counter card. 